Oneil Cruz got the action started early when he and Bryan Reynolds led off with back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Cruz came up again in the 2nd inning and blasted another homer, this one a two run shot to right field to extend the Pirate lead to 5-0. Here are the stats on those Cruz homers:

Oneil Cruz homer 1: 412 feet, 116.6 mph

Cruz homer 2: 434 feet, 114.4 mph

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 10, 2024

Just gonna leave this here…

This is not financial advice pic.twitter.com/sGmUsV2Ptf

— Jim Rosati 🏴‍☠️ (@northsidenotch) March 10, 2024

Quinn Priester worked efficiently through his first 3 innings, allowing one run on 2 hits. In the 4th inning, the Phillies managed a single, a walk, and another single before Kody Clemens launched a grand slam, tying the game at 5. Cam Alldred came in and finished the 4th inning with a strikeout.

Jared Jones worked a 1-2-3 5th inning, but wasn’t as sharp as we are used to seeing in the 6th. While both runs he allowed were unearned, he gave up back-to-back doubles to Rodolfo Castro and Garrett Stubbs. Overall, Jones looked good, but we saw more hard contact than normal. Jones got 2 outs in the 7th inning, finishing with 2.2IP, 2H, 0ER and 3K (42 pitches).

Edward Olivares drove in Jared Triolo (0-1, 2BB, 2R) in the bottom of the sixth. Oneil Cruz collected another RBI on a fielders choice, giving him four on the day.

Carter Bins made the most of his opportunity filling in for Joshua Palacios, managing two hits, a walk, and an RBI.

Ke’Bryan Hayes collected two more hits and raised his average to .407.

After Carmen Mlodzinski worked a clean 8th, Braxton Ashcraft got himself into trouble and eventually let in the two decisive runs.

The Pirates are back in action tomorrow against the Boston Red Sox at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. This game will be telecast on SportsNet Pittsburgh, as well we NESN and MLB Network.